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Hypokalemia

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Hypokalemia

  1. If possible, temporarily reduce or stop the diuretics, especially if there are no signs of fluid retention. If a thiazide diuretic is being taken, it is best to stop it, because of all diuretics this is the most likely to promote potassium excretion via the urine and therefore hypokalemia.
  2. If possible: start a potassium-sparing diuretic, spironolactone 25-50 mg per day. This will reduce the amount of potassium excreted in the urine. If possible: increase ACE inhibitor/ARB/ARNI.
  3. Start oral supplements 1 to 3 times per day. For example: potassium syrup 2 or 3 times 10 or 20 meq per day. Dose to be determined according to the severity of the hypokalemia.
  4. Encourage the intake of potassium-rich food: more fruit (bananas),...
  5. Hypomagnesemia is also common. Consider temporary magnesium supplements (especially if there are also cramps).
  6. Check the potassium with a new blood test after 2-4 days.
Symptoms
  • Not always present.
  • Fatigue and drowsiness.
  • General muscle weakness.
  • Cramps, myalgia, paresis.
  • Nausea.
  • Constipation.
  • Palpitations, syncopes and/or sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias.
 
Possible ECG abnormalities

As hypokalemia becomes more severe < 2.5 – 2.7 mmol/l, changes in the ECG may occur:

  • Flattening of the T-waves.
  • Prolonged PR interval.
  • Flattening or inversion of T waves, ST depression.
  • Prominent U waves (best seen in V2 and V3).
  • QTc-prolongation due to fusion of T wave and U wave.

In severe hypokalemia, various cardiac arrhythmias may occur: atrial and ventricular extrasystoles, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, torsade de pointes.

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